Montricher-Albanne: Nature, hiking trails and slate history

Montricher-Albanne offers a variety of things to focus on during your stay: nature around Les Karellis, trails with a botanical focus and the history of slate mining. The Les Karellis resort is part of the municipality of Montricher-Albanne in Savoie. The places and topics below can help you get your bearings before choosing a hotel.

Les Karellis: car-free resort, forest and lake

Les Karellis is a car-free resort. Accommodation, shops, restaurants and activities are all within a five-minute walk. If you plan to base your stay at the resort, this information provides a practical guide to getting around locally. Check the specific arrangements for your journey in advance.

Les Karellis is nestled in a larch forest and borders Lac de Pramol. The forest setting describes the surroundings of the resort, while the lake offers a distinct natural attraction. When planning, you can choose between the forest landscape and a specific destination by the water.

Hikes with different highlights

The hike to Lac de Pramol starts at the tourist office and follows signposted Route No. 5. The starting point and route number provide two specific reference points for planning. If you want to include the lake as a destination, you can use this information as a guide and check current trail conditions before setting out.

Another option is the Sentier botanique de Montricher-Albanne. The trail features interactive botanical information panels and playful installations. The panels explicitly focus on botanical topics, while the playful elements complement the interpretation. The two trail options therefore differ: the route to Lac de Pramol has a named destination and trail marker, while the botanical trail puts the panels and installations centre stage.

Traces of slate mining

The history of slate mining can be encountered in different forms. A mural in the multipurpose hall in Montricher tells its story. Traces of the entrances to the slate mines are still visible between Les Resses and Le Bochet. In addition, the Communauté de communes Cœur de Maurienne has restored the “Sentier des Ardoisiers” hiking trail. The mural presents the history inside the hall, the visible traces point to mine entrances, and the trail adds a named hiking option to the theme. Before setting out, it is advisable to check current trail conditions.

An ancient larch and guided tours

The Gros Mélèze above Albannette stands along the trail to Pain de Sucre. It is more than 500 years old and is listed as Europe's largest larch tree. As a single, named tree, it offers a different highlight from the forest setting of Les Karellis.

Guided tours are offered at the Ecomusée Les Karellis. If you plan to take a tour, check the dates in advance. This will help you coordinate it with the other highlights of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Les Échelles, Flumet, Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis, Cohennoz, Chambéry, Val-D'isère, Saint-Marcel, Cruet.

For the broader travel overview: Savoie.